By Chris Neidenberg / Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (Nov. 24, 2010) — A state advisory commission exploring the future of Meadowlands Racetrack supports closing the site, while at the same time, somehow letting it keep hosting one event.

The mixed signals on the 34-year-old facility, long considered one of horse racing's premiere venues in North America, came in a three-page "supplemental report" released Nov. 14 by Republican Gov. Chris Christie's New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Advisory Commission.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

(Nov. 23, 2010) — Dear valued reader,

As you know, the current economic conditions have taken a toll on businesses not just here in the Meadowlands, but throughout the nation. And to be 100 percent honest — the toll has been significantly more challenging than any of the economic experts predicted.

The Leader has faced its share of hardships. But in times of difficulty, great opportunities abound. Your community newspaper is here to stay. We are determined and dedicated to overcome the uncertainty of these economic times and continue our reign as the premier voice of the South Bergen area.

We have a commitment to our readers and our advertisers, and that is why we are happy to report the following news:

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete letter.

(Nov. 23, 2010) — Click here for a special holiday offer to shop and save in Rutherford this weekend.

By John Soltes / Editor in Chief

NORTH ARLINGTON (Nov. 23, 2010) — A 33-year-old elementary school janitor was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 23, for allegedly engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with an 11-year-old female resident of North Arlington.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Susan C. Moeller / Senior Reporter

RUTHERFORD (Nov. 18, 2010) — For Rutherford, 2010 could be remembered as the year of the garbage overhaul.

The borough council decided earlier in the year to reduce its residential garbage pickup and eliminate commercial service altogether. Now, a proposal to purchase trucks with robotic arms to pick up and dump specially designed cans is on the table for the Borough of Trees.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

PLUS: To see a video of automated garbage pickup in action, click here.

By Kyle Orlowicz / Reporter

LYNDHURST (Nov. 18, 2010) — After 20 years of service on the Lyndhurst Library Board of Trustees, Mayor Richard DiLascio showed Annie Rowe the door last month when he opted not to reappoint her to her long-held position.

Perhaps it was time for Rowe to move on; however, the longtime public servant and volunteer said she was not given the opportunity to step down gracefully. Instead, she was the last to find out of DiLascio’s decision to replace her and was not even told by the mayor himself.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

(Nov. 17, 2010) — The winners of the Meadowlands Sports Cup for the 2009-10 sports seasons are as follow:

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete announcement.

By Susan C. Moeller / Senior Reporter

LYNDHURST (Nov. 16, 2010) — Two alleged jewel thieves threatened three people in a shop on Main Avenue in Clifton, then fled into Lyndhurst Monday, Nov. 15, carrying a bag containing $200,000 worth of jewelry they had just stolen, according to police.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Chris Neidenberg / Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (Nov. 15, 2010) — There's no ifs, ands or butts. New statewide regulations, cracking down on school smoking, guarantee "an absolute zero tolerance" at Henry P. Becton Regional High School, warns Board Member Richard Vartan.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Jennifer Vazquez / Reporter

NORTH ARLINGTON (Nov. 15, 2010) — On Friday, Nov. 5, Cherokee Investment Partners, the parent company of the troubled EnCap project, turned over the 41.5-acre Bethlehem Steel property and the 30-acre Bergen County Utilities Authority site to the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. The transfer of the two North Arlington properties also resulted in Cherokee paying the NJMC $1 million, according to Brian Aberback, spokesperson for the commission.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By W.L. Bill Allen, Jr. / Director, NJ Sport/Action

RUTHERFORD (Nov. 12, 2010) — While the NFL finally introduced instant replay not all that long ago, tonight''s first round state playoffs game between unbeaten Rutherford High and West Essex Regional will be more of a "Distant replay" for the two programs involved and for one RHS coach in particular, as well.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

Story and Photos By W.L. Bill Allen Jr. / Director, New Jersey Sport Action

WALLINGTON (Nov. 11, 2010) — The bracket's top seed, Wallington High, held off second-slotted Midland Park, 2-1, to earn the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group 1 state championship Thursday, Nov. 11, at Tryon Field in Rutherford. 

Click here for a photo essay from the game.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story and pictures.

(Nov. 11, 2010) — Due to an issue with the printer, The Leader was unable to deliver its Nov. 11, 2010, edition to your doorstep. Printing will resume shortly. In the meantime, please read your favorite weekly newspaper online. All of the ads, stories, press releases, letters and announcements that you're expecting are here.

Please click here for the online edition.

By John Soltes / Editor in Chief

RUTHERFORD (Nov. 3, 2010) — On Tuesday, Nov. 2, a Rutherford resident was robbed near the intersection of Union and Montross avenues in Rutherford, according to the local police department. The victim was approached by a masked man who brandished a knife and held it to the victim's throat, according to authorities. A second masked man allegedly approached the victim, possibly armed with a handgun.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

Photo by James Dombrowski

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS (Nov. 3, 2010) — Republican Kathleen Donovan beat incumbent Democrat Dennis McNerney on Tuesday, Nov. 2 in the race for county executive. With 446 out of 553 precincts reporting, Donovan led the vote tally 96,687 to McNerney’s 82,326. All of the results are unofficial. Donovan claimed victory at the VFW in Hasbrouck Heights on election night. She was surrounded by her campaign supporters.

The race between McNerney and Donovan was highlighted by debates on Bergen County’s blue laws, property taxes, the millions of dollars used to restore Overpeck Park, the future plans for the Meadowlands Sports Complex and open space. Donovan, a Rutherford resident and current county clerk, cast McNerney as a product of the Bergen County Democratic machine. McNerney, in turn, said Donovan was unaware of the intricacies of being county executive. The two debated at the Williams Center in Rutherford in early October as part of the ongoing Leader Forum series.

By Jennifer Vazquez / Reporter

NORTH ARLINGTON (Nov. 3, 2010) — Incumbent Mayor Peter Massa and Councilmen Richard Hughes and Joseph Bianchi were named the winners of the North Arlington borough election. Though Massa is a Democrat, the outcome has allowed Republicans to continue their dominance, maintaining the council majority, according to unofficial results.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Susan C. Moeller / Senior Reporter

RUTHERFORD (Nov. 3, 2010) — Democrats George Fecanin and Jack Boyle will replace departing Republicans John Sasso and Rose Inguanti on the Rutherford Borough Council, according to unofficial election results released by the borough clerk at 9:15 p.m. on election night.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By John Soltes / Editor in Chief

NORTH ARLINGTON (Nov. 2, 2010) — The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, which has zoning authority over the wetlands in the area, recently issued an emergency solicitation to find a company to operate the methane-collection system on two landfills in the local area. The need for the hasty decision was because Algonquin, a private Canadian company that had managed the methane wellfields for more than 20 years, planned to stop operating the collection on Nov. 1.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.